The volcano, located 88 kilometers from Sumatran capital Medan, lay dormant for 400 years. But in August 2010, it erupted suddenly, killing two people and forced 30,000 to flee their villages. It was then quiet for three years.

But in September it erupted again, prompting 15,000 residents to leave the area.

On Sunday, Sinabung threw ash 4.3 miles high up into the air, triggering the evacuations of villages within a three-mile radius of the volcano, including Bekerah, Nardinding, Simacem and Sukameriah.

Indonesia has more than 130 active volcanoes. The most deadly eruption in recent years was of Mount Merapi, near Yogyakarta on the island of Java, which killed more than 350 people when it blew its top in 2010.